From abused stray to canine artist, Ria paints it forward

Ria, a three-and-a-half-year-old dog, has transformed from a scared stray with a severely injured leg into a talented artist helping animals in need. Ria's artistic journey began when Susan Swier, a woman living in Lexington, South Carolina, discovered that the Tripawds Foundation needed someone to teach a three-legged dog to paint.

Swier, who had initially fostered Ria due to her severe injuries, thought the pup might enjoy learning to paint. After receiving guidance from an online course, Ria quickly learned to hold a paintbrush in her mouth and create strokes on paper. In return for her work, Swier rewards Ria with kibble. Two of Ria's paintings, "Deck the Howls" and "Silent Night," were sold at an auction to raise funds for dogs and cats with cancer.

From being a timid puppy with a critically injured leg to a beloved companion in the US, Ria's life has changed dramatically. Swier, who was living in Petaling Jaya three years ago when she first encountered Ria, hopes to auction more of Ria's paintings to support Malaysian strays through Filbert's Foundation for Furry Friends.